about the opportunity

HANDS (Halimar, Aprende no Deskobre; Susesu) (2015 to 2026) is an early childhood education programme of the Timor-Leste Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport to improve access to and the quality and management of early childhood education.

It is supported by the New Zealand Government and managed by Grow HR International (Grow).

HANDS works in the areas of preschool and community support, preschool facilities, teaching and learning resources, teacher professional support, school management, municipal and central ministry support, and quality assurance.

Grow and the Ministry of Education is seeking a consultant for one year (initially) to provide professional and technical support to promote teaching and learning and to guide national advisers to maintain relevant and up-to-date knowledge to enhance the quality of their work.

They will advise and provide practical assistance in areas including:

• The professional development of preschool teachers and government preschool teacher training.
• Alternative models of ECE and delivery modalities, including cluster-based, traditional face-to-face and paper-based distance learning, use of ICT and others.
• Curriculum implementation and guidance to teachers.
• Development and use of teaching and learning resources.
• Formative and summative child assessment.
• School readiness, parental and community involvement.
• Child protection, safe and secure learning environments, including health and hygiene.
• Review approaches to teaching early literacy and take the lead in developing a holistic literacy strategy to improve children’s learning outcomes in early reading.

The successful candidate will have the following:

• A teaching qualification, preferably in early years or primary education.
• Fluency in Portuguese and a working knowledge of English.
• Recent and relevant early years’ classroom experience using approaches to teaching early literacy and numeracy.
• Experience providing professional development to teachers in contexts similar to Timor-Leste.
• Experience in materials production, particularly aimed at children.
• Excellent communication, including the ability to write high-quality reports In English and tailor written and spoken communication to an audience.
• Ability to communicate in Tetun or willingness to learn to B1 – B2 level within six months.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team.
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt to work in changing contexts.
• The willingness to travel to remote locations in Timor-Leste.

Location: Based in Dili with frequent travel to municipalities.

Start date: May-June 2022

Duration: An initial 12-month contract with the likelihood of two further 12-month extensions.

Remuneration: A competitive salary and benefits package appropriate to qualifications and experience. Housing and mobilisation support.

To submit your application, click Apply Now.

A position description is attached.

Women and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.